companion ladder

noun

Nautical.

1. an inboard ladder or stair, as in a companionway.

Word History and Origins

Origin of companion ladder¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

They walked along for some way in the shadow of the mesa, rounded a projection, and there, in a water worn ravine, was the way up the companion ladder.

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"I am the captain," exclaimed a rough voice, proceeding from a rough head, poking itself down the companion ladder; "what's wanted of me?"

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While the wind still roared through the rigging, and all between decks was as dark as a winter midnight with the clouds of drifting, driving snow, suddenly the sides of the saloon, in which the captain, myself, and the other mate were sitting, came crashing and splintering in upon us, and we had barely time to spring to the companion ladder before the freer ice was grinding amid a chaos of broken boards and timbers in the very place where we had been sitting barely three seconds before.

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The two Dutchmen looked round them as they mounted the companion ladder, with the air of persons who were familiar with what they saw.

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Leaving Walworth to see my luggage brought up on deck I went down Alie's companion ladder to bid her farewell.

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